Hearing loss is something that affects so many people across the world, but there seems to be lack of information on hearing aids and how to choose the right one for you. The key to choosing the right hearing aid really comes down to knowing your diagnosis, the different types of hearing aids available, and how these styles work and differ from each other. There are so many great hearing aids out there and you can easily browse and buy hearing aids online. Before you do that, have a read through this article to help you find the right one for you and what to consider before you buy.
The first thing you should know is just generally how a hearing aid actually works. It basically takes the noises from your environment and makes them louder in your ear. Most hearing aids are digital and need the power of batteries to work. They are made up of a small microphone which is what picks up sounds, a computer chip which is what amplifies and converts the sound to the specifications of your hearing loss. Below we will cover all the different models and types of hearing aids available on the market.
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Completely in the canal – This is the model that fits right inside your ear canal and is the smallest and least visible. It is also the model that picks up the least amount of wind noise that a lot of hearing aids can have. While they do have benefits the downsides are they can get clogged with ear wax and battery life can be short in such a small model.
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In the canal – This model fits partly inside your ear canal and is also less visible than some larger styles available on the market. They are a little larger than the completely in the canal model so they can fit a few more features. They might be a little hard to adjust though because they are still small and just like the completely in the canal type, can also get clogged from earwax.
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In the ear – These come in either a shape that fills the bowl area in your ear or just the lower part of your ear. They also come with a larger range of features because they are bigger than other models, they also have a longer battery life because of the size. They are also a lot more visible the smaller models and you might get some wind picking up on the microphone which can be annoying to some people.
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Behind the ear – This kind of hearing aid hooks over the top of your ear and sits behind it. It is connected to an earpiece that fits into your ear canal and it probably one of the most popular choices. While they are pretty visible there have been new models and designs made smaller and less visible over the last couple years. They also pick up wind but do give you a lot more options when it comes to amplification.
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Receiver – This is pretty similar to the behind the ear model with the real difference being that instead of tubing connecting the pieces only a small piece of wire is. This makes them less visible but the other features are pretty much the same. If you are not sure where to find these hearing aids you can easily browse and buy hearing aids online where you will find a huge variety and the right type of hearing aid for you.